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Steamboat Creek - City Creek to Steamboat Falls

Steamboat Creek, Oregon, US

City Creek to Steamboat Falls (Upper Steamboat)

Usual Difficulty

II+(IV) (for normal flows)

Length

9.5 Miles

Avg. Gradient

30 fpm

Easier Than It Looks

Easier Than It Looks

Gauge Information

River Description

This is a very pretty canyon. There are 6.5 miles of class II+ in the middle of this reach with
some IV near the top and bottom. The road runs along the creek and provides alternate access. This
is prime steelhead spawning
ground, so stay off the bottom.

Description:

The run ends just above Big
Steamboat Falls. The lower class IV rapid is not interesting, not fun, and not worth the
scratches. It is out of sight of the road. If you run it be sure to recognize the take-out because
Big Steamboat Falls is full of rebar. The best take-out is above the IV a mile and a quarter
upstream.

As you drive up to the put-in you will have many good views of the creek. What you see is typical
of the run. When you see the obvious class IV drop, you have come
to the top of the class II+.

Continuing upstream, the next two miles contain two class IV drops and one class III gravel bar all
visible from the road. They are all easier to run than they appear and more difficult to
portage.

To get to the take-out: Take I5 to Roseburg exit 124 and follow the signs to state highway
138 east. Go east 39 miles to Steamboat Creek. Turn left and go up the creek nearly six miles to
Big Steamboat Falls. The lower (IV) take-out is at the 'pump chance' W1802 immediately above the
falls.

To get to the II+ take-out; Go upstream a mile and a quarter to MP7, turn right into
"Industrial Campground", turn right again and go downstream as far as you dare and find a campsite
by the creek.

To get to the II+ put in: Go back to the road, go upstream six and one half miles to a side
bridge with a class IV drop clearly visible from the road. Put in under the bridge.

To get to the IV put-in: Continue upstream about two miles to 'pavement ends' at City Creek
and put in at the boat ramp.

Kudos:

Some people think the camping and clean, clear water make this a fine place to spend a whole week.
Linda, Bob, and Grandpa all like this place a lot.

StreamTeam Status: Verified

Last Updated: 2002-06-12 16:38:05

Editors

Rapid Descriptions

No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run.